River trip for members of Parkinson’s support group

ABOUT 32 people enjoyed a boat trip organised by the Henley branch of Parkinson’s UK.

Members and carers were taken on Hobbs of Henley’s Hibernia with commentary by Bobbie Latter, a professional guide from Windsor. They were also served afternoon tea on the boat.

The Henley group was set up more than 10 years ago to support people affected by the condition, which is caused by a loss of nerve cells and can lead to involuntary shaking, loss of memory and slow movement.

Town councillor Gill Dodds, who is a member of the branch, said: “My husband Malcolm had Parkinson’s and sadly died over a year ago, but I’ve kept in touch with the group and help out wherever I can.

“People with Parkinson’s can often be stuck inside so it’s good for them to get out and experience some normality.

“Hobbs were so helpful as a few of our members have mobility issues and they were great helping them get on and off the boat and getting them seated.”

Lene De Wesselow, who is the events co-ordinator for the group, said: “It was a lovely day out. We had very good weather and we had the sides of the boat down. Some people had a little glass of wine and there was a bar with Pimm’s.”

She said the group was particularly grateful to the Tony Lane Foundation, which paid for 20 members’ places on the trip.

Mrs De Wesselow joined the group after her husband Ivan, who had Parkinson’s, passed away five years ago.

She was invited by Dr Terry Dudeney, a retired GP from Rotherfield Greys, who founded the branch in 2012 to support people in the area living with the condition.

“I’ve known him for 50 years,” said Mrs De Wesselow “When Ivan died I said to him I would like to get involved and he said, ‘Good, come aboard’ and that was five years ago.”

The group meets at the Christ Church Centre in Reading Road on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 10am to noon.

Mrs De Wesselow said: “We want people to be more aware that we are there. We have speakers that come and talk to the group, free tea and coffee and sometimes subsidised lunches and things like that.”

The group also raises funds for Parkinson’s UK, a national charity which is trying to find a cure for the disease by funding research into the most promising treatments.